Therapist-Guided PSP Wellbeing Course

Who is eligible for this course?

First responders and other public safety personnel (PSP) 18+ residing in NB, NS, ON, PEI, QC, or SK who want to improve their overall mental health and wellbeing.

This course is not suitable for those with severe substance use, psychosis, mania, or high risk of suicide.

Free: Our courses are fully funded by the Government of Canada.
Confidential: Clients’ enrollment and data are confidential and will not be released to any outside source including their employer(s).
Evidence-Based: Participants report significant improvement in their symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress.
Flexible: 5 online lessons over 8 weeks with ~ 1 hour of course work per week.
Therapist Options: Optional therapist care through secure online messaging, emails, and occasional phone check-ins.
Additional Resources: More information about PSP-related concerns such as anger, communication, beliefs, problem solving, and more!

Can I enroll if I’ve already taken a PSPNET course?

Yes! Please reach out to us and we will assist you with enrollment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Course Overview

Who developed the PSP Wellbeing Course?

The Wellbeing Course was originally developed at Macquarie University in Australia, then adapted and researched by the Online Therapy Unit at the University of Regina. PSPNET furthered tailored the Wellbeing Course to address the unique challenges of PSP.
Why was the PSP Wellbeing Course developed?
The PSP Wellbeing Course was developed with and for PSP to overcome common barriers to mental health support, such as:
- Geographical challenges — difficulty accessing care in remote locations or during postings
- Logistical constraints — shift work and busy schedules that conflict with standard service hours
- Stigma concerns — perceptions of being judged or evaluated negatively for seeking mental health support
- Limited resources — insufficient access to mental health services designed for PSP needs
What does the PSP Wellbeing Course involve?

The PSP Wellbeing Course teaches evidence-based information and skills specifically for Canadian first responders and other PSP seeking to self-manage their mental health.

The program consists of 5 main lessons. You work through each lesson over 1 to 2 weeks using online slideshows and downloadable guides that help you review and practice new skills. Each lesson builds on what you’ve learned previously.

You’ll have access to all course materials for up to 26 weeks after enrollment, giving you flexibility to work at your own pace and revisit content as needed.

Additional resources are available to address specific concerns like sleep concerns, social relationships, and problem-solving, allowing you to focus on issues most relevant to your needs.
How much time does it take to complete the Therapist-Guided PSP Wellbeing Course?

The PSP Wellbeing Course is designed to take 8 weeks. We recommend scheduling at least 1 hour to review each lesson content and then 1–2 weeks to reflect on and implement changes. Keep in mind that course materials are accessible and downloadable for at least 6 months.
How is the PSP Wellbeing Course being evaluated?

The PSP Wellbeing Course is evaluated through questionnaires you’ll complete at three points: during screening, throughout the course, and after completion. These take between 5 and 30 minutes and collect important information about your experience and outcomes. This data helps us continuously improve the program and contributes to research on effective mental health support for PSP. Your participation in this evaluation is greatly appreciated.
Is the PSP Wellbeing Course offered in French?

Yes, the PSP Wellbeing Course is available in English and French.
How long will PSPNET be providing the therapist-guided PSP Wellbeing Course?

PSPNET is funded through 2028. We’re working on a long-term sustainability plan to ensure we can continue providing mental health support to PSP long-term.

Eligibility and Getting Started

Who can take part in the PSP Wellbeing Course?
You’re eligible if you are:
- A current or former PSP
- 18 years of age or older
- Residing in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, or Saskatchewan
- Comfortable using the internet and have reliable access
- Able to commit 1 to 3 hours weekly for 8 weeks
- Experiencing concerns with anxiety, depression, and/or posttraumatic stress
- Willing to provide a local medical contact for emergencies
This course is not recommended if you:
- Have severe problems with alcohol or drugs
- Experiencing mania or psychosis
- Are at high risk of suicide
What does the screening process involve?

The screening process has two parts, each taking 20 to 30 minutes:

Online Questionnaires: You will be asked to provide personal contact information (such as name, address, phone, email) and answer questions about your background, mental/physical health, relationships, occupation, treatment history, and emergency contacts.

Telephone Call with a Therapist: You’ll schedule a call with a PSPNET therapist to discuss your questionnaire responses, learn about our research, and identify which course best fits your needs. Our therapists are registered professionals with graduate-level education (such as Clinical Psychology and Social Work) who are specially trained to work with PSP.
Is a formal mental health diagnosis required?

No. ICBT is designed for people at different stages — whether you have a formal diagnosis, are experiencing symptoms but haven’t been diagnosed, or are simply looking for proactive support to strengthen your mental health.
Is ICBT appropriate for PSP?

Absolutely. PSPNET was built specifically for Canadian PSP, with all materials developed in collaboration with public safety personnel. We actively seek feedback throughout the course to ensure it meets your needs, and our team is committed to providing responsive support if unique concerns arise during your participation.
Can I enroll if I am receiving support from other mental health services?

Generally, we recommend focusing on one form of treatment at a time. However, PSPNET may be appropriate alongside other services in certain situations — for example, if your current provider recommends it as a supplement to your treatment, if you’re primarily seeing a psychiatrist for medication management, or if you’re on a waitlist for other services. We encourage you to discuss this with your mental health provider to ensure PSPNET complements your overall care.

Therapist Support

What support is available from therapists?

The PSP Wellbeing Course includes optional therapist support. During the week, you can send questions or comments to your assigned therapist though our secure online messaging portal. Therapists check messages and review your progress one to two times per week, responding based on your needs. While most communication happens through secure messaging, therapists may also contact you by email or phone when appropriate.

Therapist support typically runs for 8 weeks and can be extended up to 16 weeks based on your individual needs.
Who provides therapist support?

All clients are assigned a designated therapist who is trained in delivering ICBT and signs a confidentiality agreement before working for PSPNET. Your therapist will have training in psychology, social work, or counseling and be registered or certified to practice in the area in which you reside or be a graduate student or professional under supervision of a registered or certified provider. All therapists use the PSPNET web application to deliver services although therapists work in diverse locations across Canada.
How will my assigned therapists support me if they can’t physically see me?

PSPNET therapists assess and monitor clients mental health via their questionnaire responses and exchanges via secure online messaging, email, and phone calls. Our clients report high levels of satisfaction with their therapists.

Privacy & Additional Information

Are PSPNET’s services confidential?
Yes. The PSPNET website is hosted and maintained by the University of Regina. All information you share with therapists is encrypted using secure socket layer (SSL) technology — the same level of security as online banking. Messages are securely sent and stored on encrypted servers.

Your participation is confidential, and only members of the PSPNET research team have access to your information. However, confidentiality must be broken in certain circumstances:
- Potential imminent harm to you or others
- Suspected neglect or harm to a child, including witnessing violence
- Court order to release information
- Where required by law
PSPNET is a research facility. As such, when your information is used for research purposes, it is de-identified to protect your privacy. This means it’s analyzed and presented in a way that prevents anyone from identifying you.
Where can I find out more information?

Please contact 306-337-7233 (SAFE) or email pspnet@uregina.ca.